the chaplain: let us pray. let us pray. father of all, out of the noisy world, we come to this quiet place of prayer. we depend on your goodness, your mercy and grace. as our lawmakers face the challenges of their calling, inspire them to have a mature faith in your providential leading. lord, fill them with your spirit so that they will acknowledge their dependence on you for every breath they breathe and every creative thought they think. may today be for them a buildi g block for making america a nation that glorifies you. we pray in your great name, amen. the presiding officer: please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag. i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. the presiding officer: the clerk will read a communication to the senate. the clerk: washington, d.c, november 28, 2012. to the senate: under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the standing rules of the s